Monday, December 30, 2013

Cold Arrival-- Indiana Harbor 12/30/2013

After getting the ice off the cameras today, the Indiana Harbor unexpectedly to refuel.
I am experimenting with adding some audio to these videos, so let me know what you think.

Camera Status update

Camera Update: 12/30.2013-14:22
Today I was able to clear 1/4 in of clear ice from the LSMMA Cam and Pier B using mixture of hot water, windshield washer fluid and alcohol. This was the only thing that seemed to work in -10F.
Happy New Year!

Camera Update: 12/30/2013 -- 06:00AM  Due to the extreme cold, high of -10F, the ice from Saturday's freezing mist remains on the Canal Park cam and the Pier B cam.  The GLA cam and Pier B cams are currently in automatic shutdown due to the cold.

Since we won't be going above zero until Friday, it might take awhile to get back to normal operation.

The good news is, the days continue to get longer and springtime is right around the corner.


Sunday, December 29, 2013

Camera Update

The freezing rain last evening has left a coat of ice on the cameras near the water, the little heaters inside each camera should clear it off today.

Duluth Harbor Traffic for Saturday 12/28/2013

H. Lee White arrived at 04:35
H. Lee White departed at 11:45

Last Saltie - Ursula - aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway - may not make it out before closure

In a desperate attempt to make it out to the ocean before the hard freeze, the Saltie Ursula is aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway and may not make it.
Read the entire story here in the Duluth News Tribune.
Orsula (Marshall Islands)

Friday, December 27, 2013

Duluth Harbor Boat Traffic for Thursday 12/26/2013

Algoma Olympic departed at 00:15
American Century arrived at 00:40
Paul R. Tregurtha arrived at 05:30
James R. Barker departed at 08:20
Edgar B. Speer arrived at 11:15
Paul R. Tregurtha departed at 17:40
Manitowoc arrived at 23:30

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Duluth Harbor Boat Traffic for Monday 12/23/2013

Algoma Spirit departed at 00:15 Mesabi Miner departed at 04:30 Algoma Olympic arrived at 04:50 Cuyahoga arrived at 11:20 Great Lakes Trader departed at 14:30 James L. Kuber/tug Victory arrived at 21:10 Indiana Harbor arrived at 21:15

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Friday, December 20, 2013

Philip R Clarke


Last Saltie Departure

The last ocean freighter of the season departed last evening on a race to beat heavy ice in the Seaway bays and rivers.
It was not unusual in the days of sailing vessels that they would become icebound when early cold arrived, like this year. The sailors would walk to shore and camp until spring.
Orsula (Marshall Islands)

Duluth Harbor Boat Traffic for Thursday 12/19/2013

Calumet departed at 06:20
American Century arrived at 16:30
Orsula departed at 19:30

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Fire and Ice

For a few minutes this morning, the rising sun cast an incredible crimson glow across the harbor ice.
These images were captured by the GLA cam atop the Great Lakes Aquarium.


Duluth Harbor Boat Traffic for Tuesday 12/17/2013

Paul R. Tregurtha arrived at 02:55 Algomarine arrived at 09:35
Indiana Harbor departed at 14:35
Algomarine depart at 18:00
Algomarine arrived at 23:00

Notice that the Algomarine backed out of the canal at 18:00 rather then try and turn 360 degrees in the icy harbor. -- cool

Monday, December 16, 2013

Last Saltie of the year arrives

The arrival of the last Saltie of the year is always a downer of sorts.  The Orsula, arrived late last night and signals the soon end of another great shipping season. The Orsula will depart later in the day on Tuesday in a rush to beat the freeze up of the lakes.
Orsula (Marshall Islands)

Lift Bridge Boat Signals!

There have been a few questions about the boat and bridge signal horns when the boats are entering and leaving the Port of Duluth.

In most cases, once radio communication with the bridge has been established, use of the boat and bridge sound signals are not necessary and operation of the sound signals is left up to the captains.  Often, boats will not use the loud horns after dark as a courtesy to city residents.

So, most often when you hear the customary horn-blowing sequence  of "long-short-short" it is a friendly salute to the Port of Duluth from the ship captain and is responded to by the lift bridge operator with the same sequence.

While the famous sound may be a courtesy, it has long been part of the nautical tradition of this great inland sea port.

General Navigation Signals
There are also some "Rules of the Sea" for mariners that are used world-wide:  
The law prescribes signals for vessels in sight of each other to indicate the intended course of a vessel when necessary for safe navigation.
One short blast (1 second) of the horn or whistle will show an intention to direct course of vessel to own starboard (right).
Two short blasts will show intention to direct course of vessel to own port (left).
Three short blasts will indicate the vessel's engines are going astern (in reverse).
Five or more short and rapid blasts is a danger signal used when the other vessel's intentions are not understood or where the other vessel's indicated course is dangerous.
Prolonged blast (4 to 6 seconds) will indicate situations of restricted visibility. 

Duluth Harbor Boat Traffic for Sunday 12/15/2013

Mesabi Miner arrived at 01:05
Algoma Montrealais departed at 06:25
Orsula arrived at 22:00

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Duluth Harbor Boat Traffic for Saturday 12/14/2013

American Century departed at 01:45
Edgar B. Speer arrived at 02:57
Edgar B. Speer departed at 06:41
Algoma Montrealais arrived at 07:40

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Duluth Harbor Boat Traffic for Friday 12/13/2013

American Century arrived at 13:50
American Mariner departed at 15:35
CSL Assiniboine arrived at 18:00
Edwin H. Gott departed at 23:30

Friday, December 13, 2013

American Century

1000ft American Century

Duluth Harbor Boat Traffic for Thursday 12/12/2013

Isolda (Cyp) departed at 00:15 Lee A. Tregurtha departed at 07:24 Mesabi Miner arrived at 08:34 Edwin H. Gott arrived at 14:00 Mesabi Miner departed at 19:10

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Bentleyvillle Video

While your waiting for the next boat, please enjoy my latest Bentleyville Video.

Edwin H Gott Arrival

1004 ft Edwin H Gott

Classic Duluth Winter Shipping

When I think of the most beautiful Duluth winter scenes  involving shipping, cold, Lake Superior and sea smoke - this scene is it!

The 1000ft Mesabi Miner entered port this morning coming through the sea smoke on a beautiful winter morning in the Northland.  I hope you enjoy this scene as much as I do!
Den
1000ft Mesabi Miner


Center>

Duluth Harbor Boat Traffic for Wednesday 12/11/12013

Indiana Harbor departed  at 02:10
American Courage departed at 10:20
Algoma Montrealais departed at 16:40
Lee A. Tregurtha arrived at 18:30
Peter R. Cresswell departed at 19:20

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Paul R Tregurtha Departure

1000ft Paul R Tregurtha

Algoma Montrealais -- Last Visit

I was informed by one of the viewers that this is the last visit to Duluth for the Algoma Montrealais before it is sent to the bone-yard. That made it worth a walk out on the old Interstate Bridge this morning in the below zero weather to get a last snapshot of the majestic boat as it was unloading at Holcim Cement.
Algoma Montrealais



Duluth Harbor Boat Traffic for Monday 12/09/2013

Katmai Bay arrived at 16:15
Paul R. Tregurtha arrived at 17:15
Volgaborg departed at 20:10
American Courage departed at 20:30

Monday, December 9, 2013

Paul R Tregurtha Arrival

With a temperature of 0F and wind chill of -17, you may prefer this video over being here for the arrival this evening of the 1000ft Paul R Tregurtha. ( Turn up your speakers to here the boat and bridge)


Winter Shipping

Ice is forming quickly in the harbor and shipping is getting difficult.  There will be two ice breakers working in the harbor this week to help things out.
Here is the Arthur M Anderson arriving this morning.--- the beauty of boats, ice, wind, and water never gets tiring to photograph.

Arthur M Anderson

Duluth Harbor Boat traffic for Sunday 12/08/2013

Sorry, boat traffic was not recorded on Saturday and Sunday due to Internet outages.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Friday, December 6, 2013

Philip R Clarke Departure

The -30 wind chill makes for a beautiful scene as the Philip R Clarke makes it's way into the Lake Superior sea smoke.
Philip R Clarke

Duluth Harbor Boat Traffic for Thursday 12/5/2013

American Century departed at 01:13
Great Republic arrived at 06:43
Alder departed at 14:50
Philip R. Clarke arrived at 16:30
Orla arrived at 19:10
Cornelia departed at 19:20
American Mariner arrived at 21:50